The decision made at the Executive will see community groups move towards ownership of Banknock Community Hall, Bo’ness Cemetery Bothy, and Duncan Stuart Pavilion.

Each of the buildings will transfer for a nominal sum of £1, be handed over in a wind and watertight condition, and come with funding for further improvements. The aim is to give local groups the best opportunity to take them forward in a sustainable way that meets the aspirations and needs of their communities.

To support the transition, each group will receive financial assistance from the Council’s Enablement Fund, which offers financial support to groups to help them improve energy efficiency and reduce long-term running costs.

To date, £1,664,857 of enabling funds have been committed to supporting viable community transfers, including those approved today. 

• Banknock Community Hall – will transfer via ownership to Banknock Community Hall Management Committee with up to £120,224 of funding to support numerous projects, including reconfiguring the existing space, new windows and roof, roughcasting and insulation.
• Bo’ness Cemetery Bothy – will be transferred via ownership to Blooming Bo’ness with up to £10,742.40 of funding allocated for the installation of LED lighting, a new external door and fixtures alongside landscaping and yard surfacing work.
• Duncan Stuart Pavilion – will transfer to Bonnybridge Football and Sports Club, supported with up £76,440 of funding to help pay for various works including a new roof, windows, doors and kitchen, a disabled access ramp and electrical rewiring. The transfer includes 112m2 of additional land around the existing building.

The transfers come on the back of the Council’s Strategic Property Review (SPR) which highlighted the Council no longer needed 128 buildings. These building were in poor and ageing condition, not energy efficient, expensive to run, and underutilised.  

Since the launch of the review in 2023, community groups have submitted more than 43 Expressions of Interest and CAT applications, compared to fewer than five transfers in the previous 10 years since the community empowerment act was enacted.

Without community group interest, these building would close.